19th Century Literary Movements: Romanticism to Realism

Posted on Sep 21, 2024 in Latin

19th Century Literary Movements

From Romanticism to Realism

During the 19th century, Europe experienced a shift in literary movements, with Romanticism dominating the first half and Realism emerging in the latter half.

Society and Culture in the First Half of the 19th Century

• Economic Revolution: Industrial Revolution
• Social Revolution: Strengthening of the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat
• Political Revolution: National Revolution and American Revolution vs. Liberal Conservatism
• Cultural Revolution: Romanticism

Romanticism in Spain began in the 1830s with the return of exiled liberals who had been in contact with European Romantic artists.

Romanticism

Features:

• Themes:
  • Freedom: Exaltation of freedom and characters who symbolize it, such as those who challenge God or societal laws.
  • Love and Feelings: Emphasis on emotions, particularly in relation to landscapes that reflect the characters’ inner turmoil.
  • Mystery and Supernatural: Fascination with the unknown and the supernatural.
  • Escape: Seeking refuge from reality in medieval times, exotic locations, or death.
  • Individualism and Nationalism: While emphasizing individual expression, Romanticism also reflected a taste for folk traditions and national identity.
• Expressive Freedom: Rejection of rigid standards, leading to a mix of prose and verse, tragedy and comedy, and diverse vocabulary within a single poem.
• Theatrical Language: Use of exaggerated expressions, exclamations, and dramatic language.
• Lyric Poetry: Preference for lyrical poetry as the dominant genre.

Spanish Romantic Writers

José de Espronceda (1808-1842)

• Rebellious liberal with strong political commitments.
• Exiled to Europe due to his beliefs.
• Known for his passionate and tragic love life.
• Major works include “El estudiante de Salamanca” (The Student of Salamanca) and “El diablo mundo” (The Devil World).

Romantic Prose

• Features: Historical novels, legends, and newspaper articles reflecting the customs and issues of the time.

Mariano José de Larra (1809-1837)

• Journalist and defender of freedom.
• Active participant in the turbulent liberal politics of his time.
• Experienced personal struggles, including a difficult marriage and disillusionment with society.
• Committed suicide at the age of 28.
• Known for his sharp and satirical articles that criticized Spanish society and its backwardness.

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870)

• Born in Seville and lived a typically Romantic life marked by passion and tragedy.
• Died prematurely at a young age.
• Most famous for his collection of poems, “Rimas” (Rhymes), published posthumously.
• His poetry explores themes of love, heartbreak, and the beauty of nature.
• Known for his use of evocative imagery, metaphors, and musicality in his verse.
• Also wrote prose legends that blended fantasy and reality.

Romantic Drama

• Themes: Love overcoming obstacles, inescapable fate.
• Characters:
  • Male characters who prioritize freedom above all else.
  • Female characters often portrayed as angelic saviors.
• Typical Romantic Settings: Plays set in evocative landscapes that reflect the characters’ emotions.
• Breaking Theatrical Conventions: Romantic drama often disregarded the classical unities of time, place, and action. Plays were divided into five acts, mixed comedy and tragedy, used a variety of verse forms, and employed prose alongside verse, all in the service of creating an emotionally engaging experience for the audience.

José de Zorrilla (1817-1893)

• Born in Valladolid, Spain.
• Primarily known as a playwright, but also wrote poetry and legends.
• Achieved great success during his lifetime.
• His plays often featured historical themes and Romantic elements.

Society and Culture in the Second Half of the 19th Century

• Society: Consolidation of new social classes, particularly the bourgeoisie and the working class.
• Politics: Ongoing struggle between conservatives and liberals.
• Culture:
  • Influence of Positivism on art and the rise of modern science.
  • Emergence of new scientific disciplines like psychology.

Realism

Characteristics:

• Dominance of the Novel: The novel became the dominant genre in Realism, reflecting its suitability for portraying the complexities of contemporary society. It also became a popular form of entertainment for the growing middle class.
• Objectivity: In contrast to Romanticism’s subjectivity, Realism aimed for a more objective representation of reality, often highlighting social issues without romanticizing them.
• Third-Person Omniscient Narrator: The use of a third-person omniscient narrator allowed for a more comprehensive and objective view of the characters and events.
• Focus on the Middle Class: Characters were primarily drawn from the middle class, reflecting the bourgeoisie’s growing importance in society and their role as the primary consumers of literature.
• Contemporary Settings: Stories were typically set in the present time and often in urban environments, reflecting the rapid urbanization of the era.
• Believable Plots: While still employing elements of melodrama, Realist novels aimed for plausibility in their plots and characters.
• Detailed Descriptions: Authors provided detailed descriptions of characters, places, and social environments to create a sense of realism and immerse the reader in the story’s world.
• Sober Language: The language of Realism was generally restrained and straightforward, avoiding the excesses of Romantic prose and striving for a more natural and believable tone.
• Social Criticism: Many Realist novels sought to expose and critique the social problems of the time, such as poverty, inequality, and hypocrisy.

Key Spanish Realist Writers

Benito Pérez Galdós (1843-1920)

• Born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, but developed his literary career in Madrid, a city he vividly portrayed in his works.
• Prolific writer, journalist, and political activist who supported the Progressive Liberal Party.
• His novels often explored the clash between traditional values and modern ideas.
• His later works became more mature and nuanced in their social criticism.
• Major Novels:
  • “Doña Perfecta” (Thesis Novel)
  • “Fortunata y Jacinta” (Contemporary Novel)
  • “Episodios Nacionales” (National Episode Series)

Leopoldo Alas, “Clarín” (1852-1901)

• Born in Zamora, Spain, but of Austrian descent.
• Lived in Oviedo for much of his life, a city that features prominently in his work.
• Worked as a journalist and literary critic.
• Known for his detailed and psychologically astute portrayals of characters and society.
• Major Work: “La Regenta” (The Regent), a realist novel that offers a panoramic view of life in 19th-century Spain, exploring themes of hypocrisy, ambition, and social decay.